ALBION No.2 Mark Venus has called upon his players to can make it one of the 'best weekends of Tony Mowbray's life' by beating Barnsley and securing a play-off spot.

ALBION No.2 Mark Venus has called upon his players to can make it one of the "best weekends of Tony Mowbray's life" by beating Barnsley and securing a play-off spot.

Mowbray missed yesterday's training session to be at his son's birth, who arrived into the world just before lunchtime.

Venus hopes the Baggies can take all three points in tomorrow's televised clash against the Tykes and clinch fourth spot, making it an extra special occasion for Mowbray.

The Hawthorns assistant boss joked that Mowbray may even decide to name his son after any Albion player who scores in the game.

"Perhaps he'll name the baby after whoever scores on Sunday," said Venus, who revealed that Albion should have Sam Sodje back but will be without John Hartson, who is ruled out with a chest infection.

"You never know it might be something like Kevin, Nathan, Sherjill Mowbray! Seriously, I hope it's one of the best weekends of Tony's life. He's had a little boy yesterday and hopefully we'll get a nice result to go with it tomorrow.

"If we do win it'll be nice for everyone concerned with West Bromwich Albion - the fans the players, the management, the board."

Venus is refusing to get drawn on the prospect of the play-offs. He claims Albion cannot afford to become complacent in tomorrow's game.

"We've got to win before we can think or talk about the play-offs," he added. "I don't think anyone can get ahead of themselves. So there has to be an edge to us - we have to keep going and get over the line before we think about the next stage. We're not in the play-offs at this moment in time."

Kevin Phillips echoed those thoughts but warned that should Albion reach the play-offs then they must make the most of them.

The 33-year-old has unhappy memories of the play-offs, losing in the Wembley final back in 1998 when Sunderland were beaten on penalties by Charlton following an epic 4-4 draw.

Even so Phillips appreciates it may be his final opportunity to play at the new Wembley.

"My experiences, personally, aren't good," said the striker. "I played in one final and lost one. It's so disappointing to lose because you work hard all season, you play for those extra three weeks and all for nothing.

"From my personal experience I'll be telling the lads that we don't want to work this hard and then go and foul it up. It would probably be my last chance to play at Wembley so it's an incentive for all of us."